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Post by oldmoleskins on Sept 30, 2007 19:54:43 GMT
It's that time of year when - since it's not likely they'll put out new tender shoots that will get frosted - that the annual trim of box edging seems likely to find its way to the top of the 'to do' list... The bonus is the taking of cuttings as a by-product. I've just done it, so in case it helps, here it is, step by step: the kit - any container with about 3-4" of wet sharp sand in the bottom covered by 2-3" of moist cutting compost of choice, the whole lot firmed and levelled. Hormone rooting powder (I know Monty says he doesn't use it, but why make life less certain).  I set up a string - this year we've progressed from the crate flat to the crate on edge - held taut between two bricks at the cutting height and one vertical edge. Whip along it with the shears, then while they're really fresh, select some likely cutting material.  I like bushy bits to start with though they'll be stripped down to a single stem, believing that they are more likely to produce bushy plants - but I may be wrong... what you want to end up with are pieces with 3 or 4 pairs of leaves above 3 or four stripped leaf nodules and a cut immediately below the last pair - about 5 inches overall.   Dip the end in powder, then push firmly into the compost until you feel the sand below - the cutting should end up with the first pair of leaves just above the compost. Here we go - 99 to fill the trough:  To fill a container with 100 takes no time at all, put a clingfilm duvet over them. Keep them frost free and in the light - the leaves need to 'work' while the roots form from the buried leaf nodules. Don't let them dry out. The 'strike' rate is normally pretty good, and you could be potting-on rooted small box plants early in the New Year - perhaps before Xmas if it stays mild.  Have fun. OM. |
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Post by Chuckles on Apr 6, 2008 14:51:06 GMT
I knew I'd seen a thread on Boxwood cuttings ;D Well I've been having a sort out in the garden this last few weeks trying to get some order and have quite a few pots of Boxwood. Years ago a bought a few Boxwood and did some cuttings from them, several times  as you do ;D All have been kept in pots and I've put a selection of them each side of the step up to the top part of the garden.  There are about 14 pots on the steps and few more pots of them about the garden. I'm going to see if any of them can be trimmed up and shaped into small standards with a pompom bit on the top. I know what I mean ;D I think the word I'm looking for is Topiary. In the meantime, how's your lovely cuttings going OM  |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Apr 6, 2008 18:19:12 GMT
I knew I'd seen a thread on Boxwood cuttings ;D Well I've been having a sort out in the garden this last few weeks trying to get some order and have quite a few pots of Boxwood. Years ago a bought a few Boxwood and did some cuttings from them, several times as you do ;D All have been kept in pots and I've put a selection of them each side of the step up to the top part of the garden. There are about 14 pots on the steps and few more pots of them about the garden. I'm going to see if any of them can be trimmed up and shaped into small standards with a pompom bit on the top. I know what I mean ;D I think the word I'm looking for is Topiary. In the meantime, how's your lovely cuttings going OM Nice election of boxpots, Chuckles, go for it on the topiary front - but like a scuptor inspired by a chunk of stone, select a plant that best suits the purpose: leggy ones with a prominent stem (probably cuttings from the top growth) make the best cones and standards, shrubby ones (from side cuttings) make the best balls and animal/bird shapes - generally. Mine? haven't looked lately, but last time they were still green!! OM. |
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Post by Chuckles on Apr 7, 2008 7:07:30 GMT
Nice election of boxpots, Chuckles, go for it on the topiary front - but like a scuptor inspired by a chunk of stone, select a plant that best suits the purpose: leggy ones with a prominent stem (probably cuttings from the top growth) make the best cones and standards, shrubby ones (from side cuttings) make the best balls and animal/bird shapes - generally. Mine? haven't looked lately, but last time they were still green!! OM. Thanks for the tips OM Have started a thread for anyone thats interested in trying a bit of snipping and shaping or sharing tips or even showing off thier own Topiary ;D gardenworld.proboards103.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=borders&thread=5755 |
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as you do ;D All have been kept in pots and I've put a selection of them each side of the step up to the top part of the garden.